~hirty-~hree

'Che ':Di//icult [Link] o/ CJ3eing ;J./,appy

Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone opposites that must inevitably take their place: on
seeks happiness in one way or another. but, we the: stage: of tke: drama of life:. This is what Karma
are all quick to admit that few have ever found 1s all about. Wnile in the horizontal, personal
happillC'SS, It can also l-e truthfully stated that the stage we are: subject to all of the rules and the:
world is unhappy because ~f the unhappiness of laws. Only in the trans·personal stage do we
individuals. Like breeds like, so unhappillt!Ss has really pass beyond the sway of the emotions and
fostered unhappiness everywhere. If the world ever the law of Karma. It is here and here alone that
had the art of happiness then it has lost it and no evolution of the mind takes place, beyond the
amount of ' science of happiness' will bring it play of Maya.
back. I call it the science of happiness in this age
because science wants a II to be happy on pills or •
Why is the art of happiness then so tlilJicult?
potents, on gadgets or geegaws, p romises and
Does not knowledge set one free ? 1Cnowled11e
slogans. Even the grossest of materialists are
alone is sterile• .••• • •it requires action to imple·
making the most sensational of all discoveries,
me:ot the higher states and this action is the self·
namely, that happiness does not conSist of how
discipline of Y09a. The Stoics of ancient Greece
much you have in material possessions. where you
realized that true happiness was not of a temporal
are o n the social ladder, or in the gratification of
nature, but they lacked the vehicle of self·disci·
any:one or all of the senses.
pline to proceed beyond the philosophical. Many
religions have p rovided ways and beliefs that arc
" Eat, drink and be merry • . •• • . . be happy. supposed to b ring happiness. if oot now, then in
catch love, and pleasure where you can • •• •• live some: after·lifeor heaven. They knew that heaven
joyfully with your illness • • •••• be glad for what was a state of being trans·personal, but did not
you have .•••••make the most of it" a re all have a working hypothesis to achieve it, so made:
hollow lies, whatever their sentiment. They all it somewhere else instead of in an.>lher state: of
play upon the senses, the most personal part of consciousness.
our nature, and whatever real happiness is. it must
be trans·personal. that is, beyond the gratification
of the ego senses. We can begin our search into the All forms of worship, beliefs, no matter how
mys•ery of happiness b y rec.:>gnizifli that the real mind e :evating. psyc)\ic escalating d rugs, end in
pursuit of happiness is by its nature opposed to personal ends, s:>me of them ecstatic. but never
the gratification of sensual appetites. This may t rans· personal states. Only in the deepest stat~
sound very negative but remember, it is only the of inner re laxa tio n, of total surrender through
recognition of the state , a beginning. self·discip\ine:, does the real transcendent, trans·
personal experience begin. Then we KNOW what
Does this mean that we should not enjoy happiness is. Then we c a n radiate to others . life
ourselves when and where it is possib le? O f with love, with happiness Is what w.e are able: to give
course we should find and use every ounce of not what we get. Selfishnes5 and ereed are the
happiness that we can . • . .• as long as it is not at causes of m.:>st of the sufferin11 in the •orld
the expense of others. But we must recognize today. A. real Yoga Life is a life of service tc ethers
that all happiness of this type is of the world. of through the higher Self. not jult [Link] service:
the senses, it is tra nsitory, it will pass. It has i:s of our own egos.

129
 Structure
The $1celetal framework •f the human amenable to contrel, mnmanatea•te, •"stinatc
.._.y ts truely a masterpiece of structural
tlesip and enginccrin11. Consisting ot over
and resisting treatment." Osteoporosis, all
forms of arthritis, bursitis, torticollis, gout,
two hundred bones, depending on age, sex and osteomyelitis, spondylitis, and cancer of the
race, the skeletal structure of the body $fives bones are to name but a few of the most
1ise to the ~neral shape and size of the body, painful diseases known to man. But none of
providing strength and protection to vulnerable, these need to e\ ist... and all can be cured
tender or11ans, and acts as a giant storehouse by Yoga Chikiba, Yoga Therapy. But, it does
of mineral material constantly needed by the take: time. for all of these conditions took
b ody for the functions of life. The larger yea1s to produce and are a combination of
bones contain marrow in their spaces which malfunction of the liver and other wlandular organs
produce~ the red blood cells. like the parathyroids and above a!1, wrong
thinking. Yes I There is a psycho·somatic side
As childre11, we have more bones than 415 to all bone diseases.
an .;adult. The extra bones we have as young-
sters f11se toj!c!her at the base of the spine
to form the sacr um. Some women have an Conscious and subconscious tension pro-
extra cervical bone in the neck called the duce arthritis in the ' Paittika' patient. " Pitta" is
·Bellebone'. Negroid males often have an bile in Sanskrit. Certain types of ' Pitta' produce
~xtra bone in the heel, while an extra pair toxic reactions in the body disturblrig the liver
<'f ribs1'is to be found in about six per cent of a ll and glandular functions and ultimately distorting
races in both the male and the female. the frame work of muscles and bones of the body.
Burying your tension, harbouring resentment,
Every bone in the b:idv is beautifully stiffling guilt feelings are all the Adhi-Vyadhi,
designed to do its job, As babes, the bones are the psychosomatic behind arthritis. The Tri·
5oft and pliable. As we grow, the bones grow, doshas of Yoga and Ayurveda include: Kapha
or perhaps it's the other way around. As the or phlegm disorders, Vatta or gaseous disorders1
bones grow, we grow. We are like a 'walking and the Pitta or bile disorders. All diseases are
buildin11'. the skeletal ~trudure being the frame· made up of combinations of these three, influenced
work of the building. Even the bon£S are like by the psyche through the Tri9unas, the three
steel and concrete construction, The basic con- qualities of nature : Tamas, slotb1 Rajas,
struction ot e11ch bone is ot a soft, spiral form hyper· activity: and Sattwas or purified emotions.
.:if reinforcing material of solid protein cells
filled in and surrounded by a complex mixture If you are suffering from painful muscular
of minerals consisting mostly of c;alcium a nd or bone pains, let me offer a few valuable
phosphorus. These are living bones and subject sug9estions tor the correction of these maladies.
te the laws of 11ood diet and health. They a re Please understand that I am not recomme:ndint
affec ~ ..-d by the chemical changes within the these remedies without Yoga Asanas and Prana-
INdy as much as any or11;in. If, as one grows yama and especially a change o f life style t4'
elc!er, p•o per dier and right ~xercise are not a Yoga Life, and no alcohol, tobacco, drugs or
taken, then the b.:>nes suffer. They weaken and flesh in the diet. Cut down on salt and begin one
beco me less flexible, reta it1in11 dangerous acids of two treatmen•s : 1. Purchase two or three
w hich produce deformities, swellin11s, inflamma· packages of CERTO, OPECT A, SURGEL or
tion, tumours, and malienant neop'Jasms. )AMSETTA, whatever your supplier sells to make
je.!ies jell. It contains pectin and citrin, two
Yhen trouble of the bones attack va lua ble bioflavinoid vitamins. Tak one ha lf
us..... we are really in trouble because these teaspoon in a cup of warm water every
cenditions are usually difficult to deal with morning until the pain or stiffness subsides, 2,
and very stubborn to treat. That is why the Purchase a bottle of Kruschcn Salts from your drug
term ' refn1ctory' is ·used in relationship to shop or chemist and take according to directions
£ertai11 chronic di~ases, where it means "not on the bott!e.

130
 cpari6h11ako11a

The Side Bending Angular

Posture Is recommended to 1->osen
up the back muscles and t .> s'.lift
around the deposits settli~ in against
the b o nes of the lower spine ;ind s.:>
prrvcntinq the devek~pment of Arth·
r itis and other degenerative b,· ne
diseases. Don't wait for the condi-
tion to attack......... make sure it
never develops I

All of the angular postures, whe·

ther standin11, sitting or lyin11 d.:>"'·n,
are to keep the spinal muscles and
bones young and healthy. Ninety
percent of the trouble In refractory
conditions is the lack of the · right · kind
of exercise to the body pa;ts concern-
ed. There are many variations on t ~e
angular theme a nd one should learn
them a II and vary th" postures c.u:.e
each day to include one or more of
tt. Kona Asanas. The variations a re
called Paravritta or modifications.

"Parshva" meal's the side or fl ~ nk

ef the body and ' 'Kona". an anglemade
while bending to the side. Technique:
stand with the feet wide apa ·t. With
practice one may vary the p-:»ition
of the feet until a near 'splits' is
a ccomplished. The [Link] on the side of
the allile may be bent in the Parshva•
konasana. The position of the hand mav
also vary. One mav 11rasp the ankle as FIGURE 104. [Link] [Link]~..!A
a be\1inning, then subiequently, the to p
of the foot, then the toe and finally
pla" thr fist or the palm of the hand onto the b reath. If the posture is to be held longer than 9
floor. Turn the head to look at the hand di rectly seconds, then short inspirations and expirations
above the head (fig. 204). Attaininii to the pose is may be d one before the lift on the in-breath. If
do ne on an out11oin11 breath. The breath Is held any pa in a rises while doing the held position, then
o ut for 6 to 9 Sl'Conds w hile the p osture is rigidl y rapid Bhastrikas ( like a bellows) should be dor.e
maintained, then the li: t is done on an incoming to expel! the poisons being relea sed.

131
r·- r
,._ .~ ..

'II
"."

•
.f

•1

CJrlarma11a6tha11am
22 '13ody - cpart ~elaxation

The twenty-two sensitive parts of the body Kriya No. I: F.:>r relaxation, concentrate
are knowll' ·by the collective Sanskrit term upon the ( O toes and command the toes to relax
Marmana5thanam. To co1teentrate upon these (2) feet (3) lower legs to knees (4) uppe1 legs
_part5 In a particular order or to command these to hips (S) buttocks (6) base of spine (7) pelvic
areas to relax in a parti,ular way while conun· area (8) abd.:>men (9) chest and ( 10) shoulders•
trati119, tives a very satisfactory. deep relaxation N ow take your concentration d o wn to the (I l)
that has b«n fgund by tested experiments to 1ive fln~rs. and c ommand the fingers to relax then (12)
relief e ven to compulsive dreaming. This is an hands ( 13) lower arms to elbow s (14) upper
~xcellent l<riya to do at the end of a strenuous a rms t<> shoulders where your 'oncentration joins
ses~;>n of A5anas and Pranayamas. The re• with b;,dy concentration (15) thro at {neck) (16)
taxati;>n should be preceded by at least nine a rou nd the m::>uth and c!1in (17)around the nose
Tounds of Savitri Pranayama, the Rhythmic a nd checks ( 18) e ves ( 19 ) back around the ears
Breath, to create the proper atmosphere. (20) b;ick of the heaJ (21) top of the head (22)
Cavernous Plexus in the miJd!e of the forehead.
Thts technique (Kriya) can be done in two All the while you sh.:>uld co mmand ''relaxation."
-ways, one for relaxation the other for deep con·
«n:rat1on. For relaxation the ·techrnque i s do ne
from "feet t" the head." For deep conc~ntration K•iv• N o .2: Reverse the order beginning with
-fro m " head to feet." Yhile concentrating -tl>e top of the head as number one and 10 back
up.>n twenty·two body parts, each part is com· thr" ugh the bod y unt il you leave the feet at
maiided (by mind) " to ,rela x" o r a th.,ught of the toes and the n concen•rate in the "Cavernous
peace or sere:iity" directed to the narued a rea. Plcxu;" a t the forehead as the twenty·[Link] part ••

1 3~
 eau~e of
4 people 90 through bouts of stiffness which seem
~ to re-occur over and over again with short
~ 01-< q,
lapses back into normal flexibility. This cycle
must be reversed •••• w e may occasionally find
~
~ ...... -4~
~ ourselves stiff from over·flexing or work and can
correct the condition by proper breathing, exercise
\.) Sleep
.... ''o.. and diet •
~~ -8- ~-, /,,P
~ ~ -V'
But stiffness is not a problem of a lack of
~~ Rela~ation exercise or too much e xercise alone, but caused
- 1z~
~ Response
~ by chemical changes within the muscles and
~ - 161-
specific body organs. The kidneys represent the
~ organs most adversely a ffected. When the
~
\.),
- 20 I t I . • I
kidneys are not functioning properly, blood

.
I
I
0 t 2 urea may rise beyond the normal tolerance o f
3 4 5 6 7
from between 0.02 to 0.04 per cent and toxicity
HOl/RS
is produced. Urea is the end product of protein
metabolism in the body, and normally the
figure 205. OXYGEN CONSUMPTION
amount of protein in the diet will not affect
an individual until the kidneys begin to deteri·
More people suffer from stiff muscles or orate. This is why young people may get away
gene1 al body stiffness than any other single with a non·vegetarian diet for a period of time
malady, although s~iffness is not considered a while the kidneys are fuactionin1 at from 85 to
medical disorder until it interferes witlt body 100 per cent. But after 30 years of age, the
action o r incapacitates a patient. Stiffness is kidneys rapidly deteriorate so that by 50 years
not a disease, but is sometimes associated
with certain diseases. Perhaps that is why
figure 207. BLOOD LACTATE
most of the human race can go around with
a feeling of stiffnl'SS and no one seems to be
concerned, includi:ig the ''victim". It would
BEFORE DURING AF'TER
seem that stiffnt!sS is a II too norm a I to be co11sidered ,3
abnormal. Stiffness is usually taken to be a ~
sign of physical laziness, which is one o f the ~
major causes of the c .:>ndition. Seldom does one •
~
....
~a ••
see the relationship between the food in one's
diet or over nutrition a s the cause of stiffness o r
'."{ ~
more so, to realise the connection between faulty
breathing and stiff and sore muscles and b.>ne ~~
~<:)
joints. A student of Yoga will soon see startling 9
l enefit from a co mbinatiun of P ranayama which ~~
increases the oxygen made available t.> muscles
and the cleansing away of metabolic waste
§t
Q) ...
E: 7
matter, especially where the outgoing breath ~
is accentuated in certain Pranayamas. When .~
~
combined with proper Hatha Yoga Asanas and ~
Kriyas, most cases of stiffness can be corrected. ..... 5
0 20 40 60
[Link] it is necessary to alter anj chan1>e
the diet t.:> achieve a iegula't ed change. S..:ime MI NUTES

A-129
 Fi11ure 203.
SHAKTI
TRIKONA
ASANA :
TRIANGULAR
POSTURE
TO
CREATE
ENEQGY

of a11e, they may be operating at only from which has to be ventilated via the Jun11s. Deep
10 to 20 per cent of efficiency. Hence, the breathin11, especially the regulated breathiug of
recommendation ef a velletarian diet for Yogis, Pranayama, is the answer to this problem.
and hea Ith-minded individuals. The second Toxic waste matter causing stiffness is oxidized
con~idera ti.:m must be 11iven to blood lactate by oxygen inhaled while m~tabolic waste matter
that can produce stiff Aiuscles by over exertion, is d ischar11ed via the outgoin11 breath. The same
leavin9 the muscles poisoned with cellular lactic deep breathi"ll influences the or11ans of the
acid, resulting in stiffn.:ss. The problem is com· body responsible for elimination to deal with
pounded by the fact that blood lactate levels blood lactate and blood urea levels as well.
can run extremely hi11h with a person who is overly
tense. Blood lactate is a by-product of metabolism Every organ of the body requires oxygen
of the skeleta l muscles and hi11h readin11s are as does every cell of every organ. That oxygen
to be noted amongst those who are prone to can only iiet to the cells by deep, rellulated
anxiety neurosis and a ne11ative reaction to breathin11. breath coincided to body movement,
normal day-to·day situations and problems. or lowering the body work load so that Ol(ygen
Lactic acid is solvented into blood lactate by corisumption diminishes. Fig. 206 on Pg. A·129
slow motion Yoga Asanas, accompanied by shows the change in oxygen consumption during
deep breathing, with the resultant relaxation normal sleep, and the si11nificant change that
and the withdrawal of anxiety symptoms. Prana· is brou11ht about by Yoga relaxation by contrast.
yama alone has been shown to alter blood Rest after Yoga Asanas achieves the same relaxa·
lactate levels to a lower than anxiety level. tion response. fig . 207 depicts the lowering of
The third consideralion is the metabolic by- blood lactate to a level where anxiety is re·
products of cells in the discharge of carbon dt:ced for Yoga Relaxation. Hish levels of
w aste matter in the form of carbon dioxide blood lactate indicate stress.

A-130
 Shakti <:path dJ.6ana6
Some Asanas can be done with a passive Konasana. the " Side Bendinll Anilular Posture
vigour that earns the performance the title of That Gives EnerllY to the Bod)•."
''Shakti Path Asanas." Similar vigorous move·
ments while doing Kriyas could be termed Shakti
Path Kriyas. While doing Trikona Asana, a
dynamic stance can be adopted to give extra
benefit to the posture. The hand is clenched into
a fist called Musthi Mudra and is placed onto A quadranllular position can be done with three
the floor close in against the instep of the foot variations. I. Sit with the fells wide apart, then
(Fig. 204 on Pg. 131.) Note that the knee is bend forward and catch the ankles or the too
bent in this variation called Parshva Kona Asana. [Link] the head up. If the chest is allowed to
A second variation can be done by taking the drop to the floor, it is known as Supta Chatushkona
hand behind the knee and placing it onto the floor Asana. 2. If the legs are taken to a position
against the outside blade of the foot. The third straight out from the hips (Fig. 209) the position
variation is to cross the body and place the fist is called Upavishtha Kona Asana. It is also called
onto the floor against the instep of the opposite Chatushkona Asana. S. If the legs are pulled off
foot, The fourth and final variation is to go the floor, with the weight balanced onto the
behind the knee, placing the hand onto-the floor tail bo~, the posture is called Urdhvakona Asana.
at the outside blade of the foot (Fig. 208). The " Urdhva" means to lift upwi-rds. " Kona" describes
P.>Sture is called Shakti Trikona Asana if the knee a cone or angle. ' ' Anga" literally means an
is kept straight wl>ile doing the four positions. anllle as in ' ' Tri·anea", a triangle. "Chatur" is
When the knee is b<!:nt into the Shakt i Path EnerllY the Sanskrit word for the number four, so,
Flow position, the posture is called Shakti Parshva ''Chatushanga" deer ibes a quadrangle.

figure 209.

CHATUSHKONA
ASANA :
FOUR ANGLED
POSITION,
QUADRANGULAR
P0SE
':Daily ~09a C[)ractice: q()eek 'C:hirty-'[Link]
Study up on any material whic::h you c::an Attempt the variations on tlie Spinal Twists
find on "The Ditficult Art of Being Happy." (Pg. 119). First do Vakra Asana on both sides,
Why, when we live in the lap of Universal then Ardha Matsyendra Asana and Brahmadanda
Abundanc::e and Joy do we lack material things Asana, givina the spine a later a I twist.
and the s~nse of happiness and fulfillment?
Study also the Master Structure of the human Attempt the Kona Asana, the Forward
body and any material that you can find that Bending Agrimaasra (fig. 188), Try to keep
will help explain the skeletal ." structure of the the back flat and the head lifted upwards.
human body. It may help to do a modified back bend with
the arms raised high over the head in Aniali
Sit in Vajra A~ana ( Pg. 3 ) and do the Mudra.
Pranava Pranayama, with the full Ah.......... .
Oo..... Mm..... Do Dharmika Asana (Pg. 47 ) Do Trikona Asana (Fig. 198) and the
followed by Supra Vajra Asana ( Pg. 54 ). Kona Kriya {Pg. A·I25), and the variations
D<> each position for three minutes. shown in Pg. A·I26 and A·127. Try to perfect
the Kona Kriya slowly without overstretching or
Do Dwipada Uttanapada Asana (Pg A·66) causing a painful twist.
the Double Leg Lift. lift three times, followed
by Uttana Asana, the Yoea Sit Up (Pg. 79) Experiment with Parshvakona Asana
three times. Follow with Ha la Asana, the Plough (Fig. 204) and the various variations as shown
Posture ( Pg. 95 ) three times. in Fig. 208. Ari attempt may be made to do
the Chatushkona Asana if the legs are now
Turn completely over into Unmukha Asana, well limbered up.
the Face Prone Position, and do the Double
Leg lifting Sha labha Asana ( Pg. A·73 ) three Relax with the Marmanasthanam Kriya,
times. Follow with Bhujanga Asana, the Cobra the 22 Body Part Relaxation, on Pg. 132.
Posture (A·82 and A-83). Do Dhanu Asana Try both Kriya No. 1 and No. 2 durin11 this
( Pg. 102 and 103) three or four times, along week's relaxation period.
with Dhanu Kriya, the Rocking Action on the
stomach. +++++'!< ++.z.+++++iE++++++++ 'l'+++++lf'+
+ +
+ +
On the back do a Double Leg Lift and
:; QUESTION REFRESHER t
continue into the Shoulder Stand, Sarvanga : I. t
Why is happiness difficult to achieve?
Asana (Pq. 82) and the variations of Viparita ~ 2. What attitudes will help achieve that ~
Karana {Pg. 86 and 87 ). Try the variations : ~~~~? :
of Janu Shirsha Asana, the Knee· to· the Head + S. What is the psycho·somatic cause of +
Position {Pg. 90 and 91) at least three times. +
+ arthritis? +
+
; 4. Desc::i ibe the Par~hvakona Asana and :f:
Attempt the Walk Up into Makara Asana :i: its variations j;
(Pg. A·l06 and A-107). Then do Ardha Shirsha + 5. Detail Chatt·shkona Asana. +
Asana .;Lthe Incomplete Head Stand (Pg. A· 107). + +
+ 6. Describe " Twenty·Two Body Part +
Do the Head Stand (Pg. 108) at least thirty ~ +
+ Relal\a1ion ' '. +
~conds or up to whatever duration you have + +
mastered. · + +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A-132